Deputy city clerk likely to be promoted

By Jean Reid Norman

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 3:40 p.m.

The Boulder City Council is inclined to appoint Deputy City Clerk Lorene Krumm as acting city clerk when current City Clerk Pamella Malmstrom retires July 2.

But the council members disagreed about how much they might be willing to pay Krumm while she is filling the job temporarily.

The council discussed how they wanted to proceed to fill Malmstrom's shoes May 26 but were not prepared to vote on any course of action.

All agreed they thought Krumm was doing a good job and would do well as acting city clerk, and all agreed they thought the job of permanently replacing Malmstrom should fall to the new City Council once two new members take their seats. Councilman Mike Pacini and Councilwoman Andrea Anderson are in their last month on the board.

Former Library Director Duncan McCoy was elected in April to fill one of the seats. Municipal elections June 2 will select the other replacement. Former Councilman Bill Smith and project developer Cam Walker are in a runoff for the spot.

City Manager Vicki Mayes was directed by a 4-1 vote to bring a resolution to the council June 9 to appoint Krumm as acting city clerk. City Councilwoman Linda Strickland voted no.

Strickland wondered whether the job couldn't be left open and Krumm fulfill the responsibilities as deputy city clerk. Strickland said it might be a chance for the city to save some money.

But Councilwoman Andrea Anderson said it wasn't fair to give Krumm the extra responsibility without the pay to go with it. Anderson also suggested that Krumm should have her pay brought up to the level of the current city clerk.

Mayes added that if Krumm is promoted to acting city clerk, she would probably leave the deputy position open to save money and try to supplement the staff with part-time help as long as possible.